Baldwin Park Civic Center Plaza - ULI Los Angeles - Urban Land ...

Complete EIR: In order to expedite development
within the district, the City should consider
commencing the process for completing an
environmental impact report (EIR) now. The EIR would
likely be required in connection with the updating
of the zoning ordinance and it is a lengthy process.
The advantage of having a recent EIR in place is
that potential developers could rely on that EIR for
completion of their projects. This would result in a
significant time saving that is very valuable in the
industry.
Create incentives for developers: As discussed earlier,
the City should, prior to the issuance of a Request for
Proposals (RFP), prepare a fully approved and adopted:
• Mixed Use District Master Plan featuring
development standards consistent with the City’s
transit-oriented vision for the site
• Zoning ordinance which conforms with the
General Plan
• EIR which carefully considers all impacts of the
master plan and zoning ordinance
A comprehensive Mixed Use District Master Plan with
explicit development standards and a approved EIR
will assist in promoting the future development of new
projects. Under this plan, developers benefit from clear
design guidelines and avoid costly entitlement risk
related to specific project approvals.
In addition to conducting an EIR, the City should look
to expedite the preliminary design review process
and create a process to fast track a developer’s formal
entitlement application. This approach will maximize
the efficiency of the entitlement process, minimize the
developer’s perceived risks, and enhance the value
which the developer assigns to the property they will
purchase from the City.
Create a Business Improvement District: A business improvement district (BID) is
a powerful public-private partnership tool that allows for a tax or fee assessment
on property within a defined area. The Baldwin Park Civic Center would benefit
immensely from establishing a BID. Revenues from the property assessment would
be directed back to the Civic Center to finance a wide range of services such as
construction and maintenance of streetscapes and pedestrian linkages; providing
security; economic development; marketing the area; and special events.
Through the services provided by the Civic Center BID, community and stakeholder
support for the area will build. The Civic Center identity will be heightened through
a BID developed program of activities such as posting banners identifying the
area; wayfinding strategies to ease access through pedestrian linkages to retail
establishments, the parking structure and pedestrian bridge, and the Metrolink Station;
and a Farmers Market. Each of these activities and similar ones that may be developed
will help to build the identity of the Civic Center by stimulating cultural and community
activity in the area and further contribute to its economic development.
Phase II
Years 3+
• Creation of mixed use project at the corner of Maine and Ramona
• Development of the Metrolink Station parking lot with housing
• Expansion of commercial uses in front of the Verizon building
• Expansion of the parking structure and demolition of storage facility
Melani Smith presents the panel’s recommendations to City officials. The panel’s preliminary sketch of the recommendations for the Baldwin Park Civic Center Station.
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